READ MINDS. BEND STEEL. BREAK ALL THE RULES. First came X-O Manowar. Now another legend of the Valiant Universe returns this June 6 in the all-new Harbinger #1 – the first issue of a new ongoing series from New York Times best-selling author Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier, BPRD) and Harvey Award nominee Khari Evans (Carbon Grey, Immortal Iron Fist)!

Skipping across America in a desperate attempt to stay ahead of the authorities, Peter Stanchek is learning that he’s much more than an out-of-work and on-the-run teenager; he is in fact a psionically-powered “harbinger” with the potential to change the course of human history. Now, respected philanthropist and fellow psionic Toyo Harada has come to guide Peter out of harm’s way and teach his new pupil what it truly means to wield power. But Harada isn’t as charitable as he might seem — and the repercussions of these two superhuman harbingers coming face to face might shatter the very planet he hopes to save.

“The idea of really getting a chance to dig in and build an epic mythology populated by a fully-realized cast of characters, all centered around Jim Shooter and David Lapham’s original premise, is super-exhilarating to me,” said Dysart. “I’ve been looking for a book to write that could be dark, weird, trippy, fun, real, unreal, violent and thematically ambitious. All the things I look for in fantastic fiction myself. Harbinger is that book, so I’m pretty damn excited about it.”

Added Evans: “From page one, this has book has been a total blast. It’s a story that begins with Harada and Peter, but soon escalates to include so much more. Working with this cast has been a lot of fun.”

One of the founding titles of the original Valiant Universe, the first Harbinger series was one of the most critically acclaimed super-hero titles of the 1990s and spawned one of first fanatical followings of the modern age of comics. Now, at the hands of the Eisner Award-nominated author behind Unknown Soldier and the fan favorite penciller of Carbon Grey, Harbinger is receiving an unflinching modern update.

“Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada come from diametrically opposite places in this world. Peter’s a broke, disillusioned 18-year-old who sees the American Dream as nothing more than a fiction from another time. Toyo Harada is a self-made billionaire who’s watched the promise of the baby boomers disintegrate into self-interest. These two are inexorably linked by their extraordinary powers, but just because they share a bond doesn’t mean they share an ideology,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. “Their eventual collision is unavoidable.”

The generation with nothing to lose is about take on the man who has everything — and no one will escape unscathed. The war for the future of the Valiant Universe begins here this June, only in Harbinger #1!

Visit ValiantUniverse.com later this mofully or full details on the Harbinger #1 Pullbox Exclusive Variant!

Columbia Pictures Sees Red With Valiant’s BLOODSHOT

Columbia Pictures is closing a deal to acquire the rights to adapt Bloodshot, the bestselling Valiant comic book character, into a feature film to be produced by Neal H. Moritz through his Original Film banner and Jason Kothari and Dinesh Shamdasani on behalf of Valiant Entertainment, it was announced today by Hannah Minghella, president of production for Columbia Pictures. Jeff Wadlow will write the screenplay.

Bloodshot first appeared in Valiant comic books in 1992 and quickly became one of the comic world’s most popular characters. Appearing in over 70 issues, the character sold seven million comic books globally and was a cornerstone of the Valiant Universe, which sold more than 80 million comic books, third only to Marvel and DC. As Valiant re-launches in 2012, the Bloodshot character will return to shelves as well.

Commenting on the announcement, Minghella said, “The Bloodshot character has been a fan favorite for nearly two decades, selling approximately 7 million comic books globally. Because there have been more than 1,500 pages of storylines published, there is a rich legacy to draw from as we develop the screenplay. Neal is one of the best action producers working today and we know he is the right filmmaker to take on this potential franchise.”

Originally founded in 1989, Valiant Comics quickly became one of the most successful comic book publishers by creating unique and compelling heroes and villains and focusing on storytelling. Valiant characters have been written and illustrated by many of the industry’s most famous creative talents, including Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, Barry Windsor Smith, Joe Quesada, Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch, Steve Ditko, Mike Mignola, Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin and Neal Adams, among many others; in addition, Valiant was previously named Publisher of the Year by Diamond Comics Distributors. Valiant is returning to comic books in May 2012 and has a number of movie projects in development based on its characters involving some of the industry’s top business and creative talent.

Neal Moritz and Original Film are currently in post-production on four films: 21 Jump Street and Total Recall for Columbia Pictures, R.I.P.D. for Universal, and Warner Bros.’ Jack the Giant Killer. He is entering pre-production on the sixth entry in the Fast and Furious franchise as well as on Dead Man Down, starring Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace. With over 40 films to Moritz’s credit, past titles include Battle: Los Angeles, The Green Hornet, The Fast and Furious series, I Am Legend, XXX, S.W.A.T.,Gridiron Gang, Sweet Home Alabama, Click, Vantage Point, Blue Streak, Cruel Intentions, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Skulls, Volcano, Urban Legend, and Juice. Original Film’s box office is north of 2 billion worldwide.

VALIANT Debuts World’s First Talking Comic Book Cover

Valiant is proud to announce the X-O Manowar #1 QR Voice Variant – the world’s first QR code-augmented, talking comic book cover! And, starting this February 29th, the only place to see this comic milestone live and in action will be in local comic shops nationwide when Valiant ships thousands of interactive, retailer-exclusive posters previewing this innovative comics breakthrough.

“We want fans worldwide to know that something special is happening in their local comic shop during the build-up to May 2nd and the launch of the new Valiant Universe,” said Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “Valiant’s QR Voice Variant is not only a new innovation in comics and a true incentive for retailers, but an enhanced and immersive experience for fans as well.By merging elements of print and digital, we’ve hopefully created something that fans will just have to see in person!”

Illustrated by fan favorite artist Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic, scripted by Robert Venditti and animated by New York’s Continuity Studios, both the cover and promotional poster will direct smartphone users to a video of X-O Manowar delivering a speech directly to comic fans across the world. On sale May 2nd — from the creative team of New York Times bestselling author Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord — X-O Manowar #1 begins the journey of Valiant’s greatest hero anew, when a Visigoth warrior dons an alien-armored weapon of incalculable destruction, igniting the Valiant Universe in the process.

“From a storytelling standpoint alone, the technology we’re employing here holds enormous potential,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. “For the first time anywhere, and exclusively on the printed page, Valiant can literally give its characters a voice.”

Retailers are encouraged to prominently display their X-O Manowar QR Voice posters to showcase this unique promotional item. Valiant will be also be making print-ready PDFs of the posters, as well as the code itself, available to shop owners for promotional use via their retailer portal on ValiantUniverse.com. This is the second innovative promotion Valiant has announced in as many weeks for the release X-O Manowar #1; earlier this month, the publisher unveiled its Pullbox Exclusive Variant program to reward comic shop patrons who open a subscription for X-O Manowar at their local store with a special edition Cary Nord cover.

“From the beginning, it has been Valiant’s mission to get readers into their local comic shop and talking about what makes this such an exciting medium,” said Valiant CEO Jason Kothari. “A trailblazing effort like the QR Voice poster and accompanying limited edition cover to X-O Manowar #1 not only accomplishes that, but also brings a first-of-its-kind interactive experience to print.”